Mr. Chairman,

Cuba provides a paramount importance to the international community and its unique role in the promotion and protection of cultural rights and identities, through the United Nations system, as well as in international cultural cooperation.  It should be based on full respect for the political, economic, cultural, social and religious diversity of every society, in strict observance of the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter.

The respect for cultural identities is a sine qua non condition for preservation of a cultural diversity. It should be understood as the common heritage of human kind and a valuable element for its advancement and general well-being, and for the preservation of peace.  Culture is one of the pillars of development, not restrained to the economic growth of a society but perceived as the way to accede to a loftier intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life.  

Mr. Chairman,

We are being saddled with an international order that prevents general access to culture, science and education for all.  An additional cause of alarm is the persistence of human rights violations associated to the call to fight terrorism with its particularly negative effect on national, ethnic and religious minorities.

Discrimination among human beings for reasons of religious or other beliefs stands as an offense to human dignity and a denial of the principles of the United Nations Charter. Therefore, it must be condemned as a violation of human rights and of the fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants therein, as well as an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations between nations.

Mr. Chairman,

The Government of Cuba has made great efforts, both at the national and international level, to foster the acceptance of diversity, multiculturalism, in the struggle against the defamation of religions and for the promotion of interfaith dialogue.  

Cuba is characterized by a broad religious diversity. In it live without any discrimination and in harmony, Catholics, evangelicals, Protestants and Orthodox Christians, practitioners of Afro-Cuban religions, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and spiritualists.

All beliefs and religions enjoy equal consideration and respect; absolute freedom to the command of its affairs and to perform its functions inside and outside the country. This real equality was achieved only after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, since before some religious beliefs and its practitioners were suffering varying degrees of discrimination.

Mr. Chairman,

Cuba has assured constitutionally the recognition, respect and guarantee of religious freedom. There are relations of mutual respect and consideration between the State and religious institutions and organizations.

In our country, general education is the responsibility of the state; it is free and based on scientific conclusions and contributions.  Parents are free to provide their children with the religious and moral education that best fits their convictions. Religious education is provided by religious institutions to all the faithful, without limitations.

Mr. Chairman,

The world is in great need of peace to concentrate all its intelligence and resources in combating the real enemies of our species: hunger, poverty, and underdevelopment; the destruction of the environment, illiteracy, diseases and the growing marginalization affecting today the vast majority of the world’s population. 

A fair, democratic and equitable international order is an indispensable precondition for the work within the countries to yield the expected results.  No country will be able to provide its people with the right to peace, development and equal opportunities unless it is changed the current international order, which constitutes the greatest obstacle to the success of all national efforts.

Let’s promote dialogue among cultures and civilizations. Let’s strongly oppose the stale pretext of the so-called “civilization collision” raised by those who threaten the peace of our peoples with their aggressive militarism. 

Thank you very much.